Patient Pharmacy

Pharmacists are key members of the St. Jude research team. They help make sure new and experimental medicines are given in the safest possible way. They are at the forefront of national efforts to monitor and improve medication use, safety, and effectiveness throughout the hospital.

Services we provide 

Pharmacists help make sure your child gets the best possible care. Our staff carefully check and prepare all your child’s medicines. They answer your questions.

St. Jude operates an Outpatient Pharmacy for our patients. The Outpatient Pharmacy location and medicine pick-up information are listed at the bottom of this page.

Here are examples of what pharmacists do:

• Review every medicine order and check for drug selection, dose, frequency, allergies, and possible interactions with other medicines.
• Check to see if your child is enrolled in drugs studies to be sure the medicine order is given according to the study instructions.
• Review the results of drug level tests. They work with your child’s doctors if the dose needs to be changed. You and your child may meet with a pharmacist before or after the test to talk about the results.
• Help manage total parenteral nutrition (TPN). TPN is a type of feeding that is given directly into a vein. It is used to maintain good nutrition for patients who are unable to eat enough.
• Work with your child’s doctor to plan home IV therapy or home infusion of antibiotics, nausea medicine and other medicines. The therapy is for children who are unable to take medicine by mouth. IV stands for intravenous (inside the vein). Home therapy means your child can spend less time in the hospital.

What to expect

You and your child’s other caregivers need to know as much as possible about your child’s medicines. This will help you understand your child’s care. It will also ensure you know how to give the medicines correctly when your child is not in the hospital. We are here to help.

Here are some tips:

• Learn the names of each medicine your child takes. Know what they look like and be able to identify them.
• Read the bottle directions carefully. Ask your pharmacy team if there are changes.
• Keep a complete and up-to-date list of your child’s medicines. The list should include the drug name, what it is used for, the dose, and the schedule for taking it.
• Collect information about your child’s medicines, including information sheets prepared by St. Jude pharmacists. Online resources are listed at the bottom of this page.
• Use tools such as pillboxes, calendars, and alarms to keep track of your child’s medicine schedule.
• Know what to do if your child misses a dose of medicine.

Working together with pharmacists and other St. Jude staff, you can help us make sure your child’s medicines work right and cause the fewest side effects.

Your Pharmacy team

Our pharmacists are among the most experienced and accomplished in caring for children with cancer, sickle cell disease, other blood diseases and life-threatening illnesses. They use their expertise and latest technology to help your child’s medical team monitor, assess, and respond to how your child’s medicines are working.

Pharmacists are available to answer your questions or to discuss your concerns. If your child is admitted to the hospital, a pharmacist will meet with you there. They are also available at all St. Jude clinics and the Outpatient Pharmacy. You can reach a pharmacist by calling 901-595-4166. If you are outside the Memphis area, call toll-free 1-866-820-2442.

The St. Jude pharmacy only serves our patients. We cannot provide medicine for caregivers or other family members. If you are traveling to St. Jude, consider bringing an extra supply of your prescription drugs in case your child’s stay is longer than expected.

Learn more 

The Outpatient Pharmacy is on the first floor of the Patient Care Center behind Patient Registration. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 6 p.m. To pick up medicine at other times:

• After 6 p.m., ring the bell beside the pharmacy pick-up windows.
• On weekends the pharmacy is open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. To reach the pharmacy team after hours, ring the bell beside the pharmacy pick-up windows. 

Find your way with the Our St. Jude app

Pharmacy and medicine resources for patient families